Chapter 180: Chapter 180
"Alright... For now, this should stabilize her Weak beats..." — The Physician announced, careful to not declare how close to death her heartbeat had gone. — "I shall make further examination after she regains more consciousness."
"... She’s not in danger anymore?" — Keeping his spot by her side, Orland inquired, forbidding his eyes to leave his daughter’s countenance.
"!!" — Aindreas brows raised in surprise at the awareness of the danger the Lady went through by the seemingly calm Father. — "... She is not, Your Grace."
"... Thank you... Talmhach was it?... Pardon my rudeness, the situation just..."
"... Your Grace, there is no need..." — The stunned specialist told the polite man.
"... Dear... Are you feeling better?"
’... I guess..... Those.. we–re...ood.’ — The child answered, gaining sufficient power to create shaped thoughts.
"Haaahhh... Oh, dear..... Haha... Ngh..." — His chin trembled and biting his lip, restraining the wish to cry out of relief the weak-hearted father leaned over to place his forehead over hers. — "... You– haha... You scared me... My sweEt bIrd."
’... Sorry... Mi–..er’
— I got scared too... —
Closing her eyes, she followed his action. Tightly shutting the lids together, a tear fell from her eyes... As one of her Fathers fell to mix with hers.
"... It doesn’t matter, sweetie. You are fine now. I will take care of you again and... And..." — Breathing in a long whiff of air, her pure scent helped his intent to control his trembling voice to continue his sayings. — "... And I will help to fix your wings no matter how many times it takes... so they can fly again, my lovely bird..."
’... Mh..mm..... We know.....’
"Over here, my Lady!"
Tap tap tip-tap...
"Sister?! Fa...ther..." — Entering the room to find her father leaning over a resting figure, Theressa’s voice lowered, confused. — "... Father...?"
’He... He said she wouldn’t...’ — Her shock made her think.
"Ah... Theressa is here, Marianne." — Turning to look at the arriving child, Orland informed his other daughter of her presence.
"... How... How is Sister...?" — The young girl asked while lifting her hand to place it over her chest, gasping for more air after her rush.
"She’s out of danger, sweetie."
"Ah... Ahhh~... Sigh..... Hng... Thank goodness... sniff!" — The young woman let out in wholehearted honesty, continuing to support herself on the broken entrance door.
’... She’s here...?’ — The foreign child thought, unable to hear the words the young girl had sincerely uttered because of the ringing in her ears.
"Come here, Theressa. She is conscious."
"..." — Silently nodding, she swallowed before starting her walk to close the distance... And arriving at her Father’s side... — "!! Father! Why haven’t you cleaned her face?! Give me your handkerchief! How can you let Sister stay like this!?"
"Uh? Ah... Oh... Y–You’re right. H–Here..." — Jumping to the sudden reproach of his youngest daughter, he confusedly answered, handing the piece of cloth as a reflex act.
"Sigh... I cannot believe this..."
Wrapping her finger on the cloth, she began to clean the red liquid inhabiting her Sister’s face... Pouting as she focused with complex eyes.
’... Cute...’ — The foreigner thought.
"... Stupid sister..."
"Theressa..."
’... Not cute...’ — She corrected.
"..."
Silence reigned between the three family members.
Drowsy by the sudden ailing, Marianne solely stared at the two people standing by her side, showing complex expressions at the current situation.
’I do feel... Less weak..... But...’
Her body kept twitching by itself.
Invisible to the people with her, the tiny jumps of her muscles caused more numbness in her heavy body.
’This sucks...’ — She ultimately said on her inside.
Closing her eyelids, preventing them from not closing completely, she then glanced at the one being her Father.
A soft smile was given, almost instantly as their gazes met.
"Little bird... If you wish to sleep, you may do so now."
"..." — ’but...’
— It’s scary —
Watching deep hesitation in the tired grey of her eyes, Orland’s brows flinched to get together, sorry by the obvious fear implied within them.
"Be at ease my dear offspring... Let the whispers of Isis and Hathor fill your dreams again, my lovely child. I shall keep guard by your side and protect you from any evil that dares interfere with your rest... Sleep, Marianne... Fill those eyes we share with the sparkle that makes you my morning sun."
"..."
"... Sleep, sister..." — Theressa, requested. Grasping hesitantly the laying girl’s sleeve.
"..." — ’... What the hell... I’m touched... But pleasantly weirded out too...’
Dropping a scoff at what she had heard and barely felt on her bony wrist, she blinked slowly to finally close her eyes.
’Seems like I’m already dreaming, mister...’
Drifting into a deep slumber, her expression slightly relaxed from the tension fear instilled. Her eyes were not seeing clearly, and her last words were referring to what they seemed to have witnessed.
Teary eyes on the always contemptuous young girl.
"..... Theressa, take a seat. You’re trembling, dear." — Observing how the ailing child easily fell into the Realms of dreams, Duke Sylfinnier placed his hand over his young daughter’s, whispering softly so as to not bother Marianne.
"Ah... Y–yes..."
The attentive Physician draw a chair near so she could seat and gave her the water she needed to regain composure.
Orland watched, not leaving his spot.
’She’s shocked.’ — He thought, feeling sorry for his youngest.
"..."
Turning back to look at the sleeping Marianne, one of his hands kept placed on her crown, stroking it naturally, in paced affection to incite tranquillity upon her whilst in slumber.
No trace of blood was there anymore. Her milky skin appeared fair and soft and her eyelashes... Furry lashes decorating over her pale demeanour... Once again she appeared to be a still magnificent painting.
His eyes went down to her misplaced hands, somehow laying disorganised over her figure.
"..."
Carefully he arranged them over her torso and as he did, holding one over his palm, he waited for it to grasp his as she did last time.
’... If this means she feels safe... Please let it be the case, Gods of Mercy...’
The possibility of her hands not holding his because of the cruel absence of strength had him on edge. Nevertheless, he chose to believe in her soul’s courage.
Stroking the bony knuckles with his thumb, he then whispered a prayer to her.
"I am to hold onto you this time, my precious bird... Do not take long to wake, please."
*******
"..."
The man observed from the side the scene of the caring parent.
Deciding it was better to leave the Duke to report with great efficiency the situation to the Royal Physician after interrupting his words out of understandable hast, Zeleskiaz quietly stood and watched all developments unfold.
Hearing the drumming sounds of his surrounding, feeling overwhelmed by the presence of every living being with his heightened senses amongst the adrenaline the chaotic circumstances had provoked, the Crown Prince stared blankly at the occurrences.
Yet now... Stillness had enrooted itself in the room.
"Talmhach." — He called, with a low tone.
"Say, Your Highness?" — Following his hushed secrecy in polite manners, the man bowed.
"... Take care of the Lady and her Family... Do as her Father demands..."
"... Yes, Your Highness. No need for concern, I shall take into my hands so the Lady recovers her health."
Aindreas drifted away accepting the Crown Prince’s orders. And driving his eyes back to the place the Parent and the Lady were... His ears listened to the whispers of the Duke.
"... am to hold onto you this time, my precious bird..."
Turning in his spot, he walked out of the room, aware that his presence was not needed.
Strolling calmly to his chambers through the dimly lited halls of the Palace, Zeleskiaz began to loosen his clothes as his steps drew him closer to his private stances.
Bang!
Closing the entrance with the impulse of his walk, a crack was made in the thick door. Yet Zeleskiaz had no intention to care in his tranced state.
Dropping the bothersome cape over his shoulders and the vest suffocating his throat with the frills of his blouse, the silky white shirt was left loose on his tough physique and undoing the laces on his wrists some air could be felt travelling into it, finding some... Yet not enough alleviation.
The dark bedroom was cumbersome and more depressing on his intricate mood and coming to the window he had seated at that afternoon, he opened the curtains, letting the moonlight invade the dark with its brightness.
"..."
His head moved to look at the previously black place, arriving at the big mass covered in a pure fabric, outstandingly blinding when grazed by the beaming moon.
Walking towards it, his hand took the edge with pause and after a moment of feeling it’s texture... He gently revealed its insides.
The flap of multiple wings echoed and... Staring at every of the different species inhabiting it...
"... I’ll need bigger beasts..." — He muttered with strangulated voice.